City Hall refurb motoring along

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes turned back the clock 90 years today to celebrate an important milestone in the restoration of City Hall.

The major refurbishment project is now more than half completed after the finishing touches were applied to the southern façade.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Laurie Baker (left) and City project manager, Matt Bennett

“Not since the days of the 1929 Chrysler, which rolled off the production line the same year City Hall opened, has our architectural jewel looked so good,” the Lord Mayor said, after being driven up the driveway in a 1929 Chrysler Series 75 by proud owner Laurie Baker.

“It’s a testament to the craftsmanship of the contractors and staff who’ve restored the building, and the patience of the public, that we now have City Hall looking like new again.”

The milestone follows restoration of the eastern exterior and clock tower. Workers are now turning their attention to the western and northern aspects of the building.

This part of the project will include sandstone repair and replacement, removal of corroded steel fixings, and refurbishment of the steel-framed windows and repairs to stormwater damage. The work is scheduled to be completed in April 2020.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Laurie Baker - owner of the 1929 Chrysler Series 75

"This large-scale conservation work will ensure City Hall stands strong and proud in a pivotal precinct that will quickly grow in stature as a cultural and hospitality hub that will include Newcastle's first five-star hotel in the Roundhouse building,” the Lord Mayor said.

The highest quality self-colouring sandstone material has been used to replace ageing and damaged stone, with the Sydney basin 'Yellowblock' sandstone excavated from a building site in George Street, Sydney.

The use of high-quality material will ensure the longevity of the building and help reduce future building maintenance.

For more information on this project, visit the City Hall Restoration website.